Filing tray



Dec. 30, 1930. s, sMlLr-YI JR 1,787,410

FILING TRAY Filed July 18. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l I attorney Dec. 30, 1930. s. SMILEY, JR 1387,06'

FILING TRAY Filed July 1s. 192s z Sheets-sheet 2 5 wucwlfofo Patented Dec. 30, 1930 UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE SAMUEL SMILEY, JR., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GLOBE-WERNICKE COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO FILING TRAY Application led J'uly 18,

This invention relates to improvements in devices for vertically filing papers, and is particularlyv directed to the construction of a follower plate as well as to the construction of a .filing tray or case incorporating improved means for mounting and latching the follower plate therein.

The case to which the present invention is applied is of the drawer or tray type, the fol- 19 lower plate being controlled and manipulated from the top of the drawer. The side walls ofv the case are longitudinally grooved for cooperation with extensions at each side of the follower plate, and a latch mechanism is incorporated in the follower plate operative to latch the follower plate at both sides of the case, the latch being registerable with, for traversing, any pair of opposingly disposed orifices of series disposed along the side 20 walls of the case. v

Thevfollower plate is also designed to in'- termediately sustain index guide or support rodsjextending,longitudinally of and above each side of the case, these rods being provided with an improved end mounting and retaining device.' The case may be of that type providing three index guiding or supporting rods such as described in co-pending pplication Serial No. 196,794, filed June 6,

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an'improved follower plate for use in, a vertical filing case incorporating an extremelyrigidand positive means for slidably mounting the follower plate in the case.

Another object is to provide a means for latching the follower plate to the filing case, Vwhichis'easily accessible and which provides o a positive non-slipping setting and engagement of the follower plate within the case.

Still another object is to provide a mounting for the index guide rods into which the guide rods are ,quickly andconveniently inserted and eiciently held in position against accidental displacement and to also provide an intermediate support for the guide rods embodied in the follower plate.

Further objects and advantages will be more fully set forth'in a description of the 1928. Serial No. 293,669.

accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a filing case or drawer incorporating the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2*.2, Figure 1, showing the follower plate in detail, certain portions thereof being broken away for the purpose of illustrating the details of the device.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the filing case shown in Figure 1, a portion of the side rods being broken away and a portion of the top flange of the sides of the case also broken away to illustrate the series of apertures disposed along the longitudinal recesses of the case for selective setting of the follower plate.

Figure 4 is a fragment-ary side elevation of a portion of the filing case, a portion thereof being broken away to illustrate an end view of the construction and mounting of the fol lower plate and the side walls.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5*-5, Figure l, detailing the arrangement for retaining the guide rods in their mounted positions.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View of one end of the follower plate illust-rating, in detail, one side of the latch engaging the filing case side wall.

Figure 7 is a top plan. view of the rear corner of the filing case, further detailing the means for retaining the guide rods in position.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8, Figure 6, detailing one side of the follower plate, showing the channel iron extension thereof for slideably mounting the follower plate.

Referring to the drawings, a drawer typeof casing or receptacle is disclosed. This receptacle, generally described, comprises sides 10, 11, bottom 12, front wall 13 and rear wall 14. The case is fabricated of metal, n-o detailed description being believed necessary as to the exact manner of securing the metal together to fabricate the casing.

The front wall of the casing extends considerably above the height of the side walls tively to the` casing and will slide evenly at right-angles to the casing side walls.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device of the class described, comprising, a drawer, the side walls of said drawer being longitudinally channeled, a follower plate suspended from said channels within the drawer, the lower wall ofeach channel having a series of apertures longitudinally arranged therein, and a latch vertically slidably mounted in said follower plate for traversing selected apertures and locking the follower plate in set position.

2. A filing device, comprising, a drawer having longitudinal depressions outwardly formed in its side walls, a follower plate mounted within said drawer having its side edges formed for slidable engagement within said depressions, longitudinally disposed rods mounted in said drawer above the respective side walls thereof, and ears extending from the respective opposite edges of said follower plate, said ears traversed by the guide rods for intermediately supporting the guide rods.

3. A device of the class described, comprising, a filing receptacle, the side walls of said receptacle correspondingly provided with horizontally formed longitudinal ledges, a follower plate having extending lugs at each side thereof for slidably mounting said follower plate on said ledges, said ledges provided with correspondingly arranged series of apertures, and a latch slideably mounted on said follower plate for vertical reciprocation relative to said apertures.

4. A device of the class described, comprising, a casing, the side walls of said casing formed to provide horizontally disposed longitudinal surfaces, said surfaces having corresponding series of longitudinally arranged apertures formed therein, a follower plate slideably disposed on said surfaces and disposed within said casing, and a latch mounted on said follower plate adapted to traverse opposing corresponding apertures of the series.

5. A device of the class described, comprising, a filing receptacle, a follower plate slideably mounted within said receptacle, guide rods mounted in said receptacle longitudinally of and above the side walls thereof, the forward ends of said rods inserted in sockets in the front wall of the receptacle, a pair of upwardly extending brackets disposed at the respective rear corners of the receptacle and slideably supporting the rear ends of said rods, a spring mounted within each bracket and pressing against the rod extending through said bracket, and a notch formed in the rod engageable by said spring to prevent longitudinal movement of the rod within the bracket.l

6. A device of the class described, comprising, a filing receptacle, a follower plate slideably mounted therein, longitudinally disposed guide rods mounted in said receptacle longitudinally of and above the side walls thereof, the forward ends of said rods inserted within the front wall of the receptacle, a pair of upwardly extending brackets disposed at the respective rear corners of the receptacle slideably supporting the respective rear ends of said rods, a spring mounted within each bracket and pressing against a respective rod, and a tangential notch formed in the rod engaged by said spring to prevent longitudinal movement of the rod within the bracket.

7. A device of the class described, comprising, a casing, the side walls of said casing formed to provide horizontally disposed longitudinal surfaces, said surfaces having corresponding series of longitudinally arranged apertures formed therein, a follower plate slideably disposed on said surfaces and disposed within said casing, and a latch vertically slideably mounted on said follower plate, said latch comprising a cross-piece and downwardly extending studs at each side adapted to traverse opposing corresponding apertures of the series. 4

8. A filing device, comprising, a drawer, a follower plate disposed within said drawer and guldingly engaged with the side walls thereof for sliding of the plate longitudinally of the drawer, longitudinally disposed guide and support rods mounted in said drawer above the respective side walls thereof, partitions having their lower edges resting on the bottom of the drawer and their upper ends hung on said guide and support rods, and ears extending from the respective opposite edges of said follower plate, said ears traversed by the guide and support rods for intermediately supporting the guide rods. 9. A device of the class described, comprising, a filing receptacle, the side walls of said receptacle correspondingly provided with horizontally formed longitudinal ianges, a follower plate having extensions at each side thereof slidably mounting said follower plate on said flanges, and a latch slidably mounted on said follower plate for vertical reciprocation relative to and engagement with said ianges.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

SAMUEL SMILEY, JR. 

